Petrov Affair Flashcards
When did the Petrov Affair take place?
Canberra in 1954
Few hours before the close of Parliament, Prime MInister made an announcement of?
A soviet diplomat in Canberra, Vladimir Petrov, had been granted political asylum and that a royal commission would be established to investigate allegations of a Soviet spy ring operating in Australia.
How/why/when did the Petrov’s arrive in Australia?
They arrived in Aus in 1951, under the cover of Russian diplomats (both were Soviet spies). They infiltrated Australian Government Departments and political parties during post-war. Sent to Aus to spy on Soviet citizens working in AUs.
Who did Petrov attract the attention of?
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) - intelligence service.
What was the ASIO?
Formed in 1949, primarily to investigate what was known as ‘the case’, concerning leaks of information from the Australian Department of External Affairs to the Soviet Union.
Who was the person to alert ASIO to the possibly that Petrov might want to defect?
Michael Bialoguski - part time ASIO agent/
When did Petrov defect?
April 3rd, 1954
Why did he defect?
he was having troubles at the Soviet Embassy
What did the Soviet Union think of his defection?
Accused Australian authorities of kidnapping him.
What was Petrov portrayed as in the 1950s?
As a cold war ally, a Russian communist who had been converted to the values of a free society like Aus.
What happened to Edvokia? His wife?
Two weeks after he was granted permission to stay in Aus, she was taken to the Sydney airport by 2 Soviet officials.
What happened on the plane?
She told stewardess that her companions were holding guns and when it stopped to refuel in Darwin, the Aus police arrested the 2 men.
What choice did she make?
Agreed to defect and remain in aus with her husband.
How did Evatt react?
claimed that the announcement was part of Liberal Party conspiracy aimed at the Labour Party. In lead up to 1954 election, Labor party portrayed at being sympathetic to communism.
What happend to Menzies and Evatt?
Menzies won the 1954 election
Evatt suffered irreparable damage o his career and reputation.
